Residents are reminded to change the batteries in all smoke alarms now that they have turned their clocks back an hour.

State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego said changing the batteries is especially important in 2020, since many residents are spending more time at home.

Trego said dead or missing batteries are the most common cause of smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector malfunctions. Smoke alarms can decrease the risk of dying in a home fire by as much as half, he said.

Trego said modern smoke alarms with long-lasting batteries should be tested each time clocks are changed.